Rims and random stuff...

Time to get some rims and random stuff sorted out while Booger Mobile isn't driveable (remember, the idler arm has been removed - a vital steering component)!!

Well, here's a rim Damian prepared earlier... the test rim one might say...  Time to get the others to look the same!!

Of course, after trying to paint the new green over the existing rim colour, Damian remembered that he used a grey undercoat... so time to do some undercoating...

Which would work heaps better if they were taped off to protect the chromed part!!

Must be one of the rear wheels in the picture above!!

Next cab off the rank was the installation of a RZU (Remote Zero Unit) for the Terratrip - should make the navigator's job much easier on esCarpade!!  (To reset the distance counter without having to reach forward to the windscreen mounted Terratrip unit.)

Meanwhile, Damian had also removed the rooftop pod to get some theming happening...

See?  There it is!!

One of these days, Damian will actually have time to get the idler arm bush pressed in...  Until then, Booger Mobile remains unable to be driven!!

Scrutineering Item - Idler Arm Removed

The one item that was required to be changed on Booger Mobile after scrutineering was the idler arm bush - this has been replaced before, and is obviously a painful item that needs a good smack!!

Before getting greasy though, it was time to do a bit of rim painting - they were looking a bit sad!

Nice chrome-coat paint around the outside... once dry, there will be a nice bright green on the inside!!

There is the idler arm...

And removed...  Next up, removing the bush on the right hand end!!

The magic of the interwebs...  not shown was the hack-sawing of the inside of the bush and much hammering and cursing!!

Voila!!  Bush is gone!!

Damian has received a nice shiny new bush - of a style he's never seen before.  It was a new-old-school aftermarket replacement idler arm bush that is a solid bush with bearings top and bottom...

All will be revealed shortly!!

Air Horn Reinstallation

Since the new strut tower brace was installed, Damian has been unable to reattach the musical air horns, as they were previously mounted to the old brace, which was a slightly different shape.

But first, a quick check that the fuel drum fits into the rooftop pod... whew... it does!!

Step one, make a brace to hold the air horns...

Drill a bunch of holes and paint it black!!

Lastly, attach the air horns to the bracket, then the bracket bolts onto the strut tower brace...

Voila!!  Air horns reinstalled!!

Queensland Scrutineering

Queensland Scrutineering in 2015 was to be held in the semi-rural town of Gatton, about a 2 hour drive from Damian's place.  Angus was playing in a golf tournament, so Damian's family decided to get up at stupid o'clock to come for a drive to Gatton.

Giggle still looks happy though!!

If you look closely, you can see that this picture shows Booger Mobile driving at 64km/hr (in a 70 zone, don't panic) - purely by coincidence!!  Good work Tricia!!

So early in the morning, even the boys were blurry...

Sunrise...  always pretty!!

Heading past the yellow elephant...

And to the inner city bypass...

Through the tunnel...

Past Suncorp Stadium...

And the church of the four crosses (aka the XXXX Brewery)...

Heading towards Ipswich and Toowoomba!

Damian - a picture of concentration...

Looks like the turnoff to take...

Now they are in the country!!

Nearly there...

Early morning fog...

Cows!!

Past the Lockyer Valley Sports and Aquatic Centre... 

Nearly there...

And posing at the breakfast venue...

After a bite to eat and a coffee, it was time for scrutineering...

Plenty of people milling around...  Looks like Queensland will have a big contingent of cars this year!

Booger Mobile looking pretty...

And straight inside for scrutineering...

The new bracing was well received...

One of these cars is not like the others!!

Up on the crooked hoist...  nice lean there!!

And parked outside beside a nice orange GTR/XU1 and a wicked XD Falcon!!

And what camera roll is finished without a selfie?  Damian and family looking the goods!!

After scrutineering, some of the others headed home, while others did the experience esCarpade drive...  Because Booger Mobile doesn't have seat belts in the rear seat, Damian couldn't take it, so instead headed up the road a few km to pick up a parcel.

Then back on the road, heading up the hill to Toowoomba for lunch.

Safety socks, of course!!

And up the hill... Booger Mobile going beautifully!!

What a view!!

Heading through downtown Toowoomba on the way to find fuel...

Nice old buildings...

And arriving first at the lunch venue (which is easy to do when you don't do the actual drive)!!

A wishing well...

Quarry in the background...

After lunch, it was time to head back down the hill towards home...

Passing Legomobile on the way home...

And back into the city...

Unfortunately, the camera went flat at this point, so that's the end of the photos.

Booger Mobile passed scrutineering with flying colours - just one bush to replace on the idler arm (for the third time - must be a part that Booger Mobile enjoys chewing on).  390km round trip completed without incident, and with temperature under control  Of course, it was a cold day, so more testing is required, but Booger Mobile is mechanically ready for esCarpade 2015...

Let's hope Damian can get there!!